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100K Croatians Gathered To Give Their Homecoming World Cup Team A Hero’s Welcome!

byJinal Bhatt
17th July 2018
3 minute read

Forgive an ignorant non-football fan, but I have this feeling that FIFA World Cup runner up Croatia seems to be getting a lot more attention than the winners, France. Not that I mind, of course. Croatia = Underdogs = <3 . And that silver medal is still a phenomenal achievement, no matter what anyone says!

We’ve seen countless examples of how nations have treated their sports heroes after they’ve lost important matches like World Cup finals. They burn effigies, write hurtful things about their wives and girlfriends on social media and even trash the winning rivals.

To all of them, I say, pay close attention to how Croatia has welcomed its ‘losing’ team…. Not much unlike the way Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic did, with hugs and tears and loads of cheers!

Yep, you see that? That is just one section of the crowd that had gathered at the main square in Zagreb, the Croatian capital! They were here to welcome their heroes who had made them proud by playing to their strengths and winning hearts the world over.

The crowds were lined up right from the airport itself, as they cheered when the team’s plane touched down on the tarmac!

Turn on that sound and hear them roar!

Picture this: a 100,000 people screaming their lungs out for you? How would that feel?

Pretty freaking amazing.

An open bus with the team members on board navigated through the main city street as the crowds welcomed home their beloved players!

Players Mateo Kovačić and Ivan Rakitic, also posted pictures and videos from the aboard the bus!

Can you imagine what they must’ve felt like at that moment?

https://twitter.com/Mateo_Kova23/status/1018915247489511424

The sun may have set, but the roaring enthusiasm of the fans did not die down even one bit!

And as it grew dark, the main square was ablaze in celebration of Croatia’s ‘Vatreni’, one the of the team’s nicknames, which in Croatian means ‘Blazers’ or ‘Fiery Ones’.

Music and hearts pounding, the team continued to be welcomed like the heroes they are!

Check out a glimpse of the team aboard the bus, firecrackers in hand and enjoying all the love and attention!

There was a podium et al where the team stood and gave speeches thanking their fans for their unwavering love and support.

People the world over, already in love with the spirit and enthusiasm of Croatia and its citizens, couldn’t help but marvel at the sight.

Now THIS is what you call a HOMECOMING.

This is what true fans and true devotion looks like. A point we kind of miss in India when we’re busy trashing our players for a loss, and hero-worshiping the same ones when they win.

The homecoming sight was an empowering visual for sports players all over the world. But also, a lesson for countries and fans on how to treat their heroes.

Show them such unfettered support and such devotion that it runs like fire through their veins and success becomes the norm.

Truer words have never been tweeted!

Congratulations, Croatia. You’re heroes and now you’ve been welcomed like one!

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